Retain vs Maintain

Question – In some places in ISO 14001:2015, it says to retain documented information; in other places it says to maintain documented information.  Is there a difference?

Answer – Yes.

ISO 14001:2015, like the other management system standards based on Annex SL, no longer includes requirements specified in terms of “documents” or “records.”  Instead, the term consistently used is “documented information.”

In order to clarify in the ISO 14001 standard what type of “documented information” is required, the standard uses “maintain” where the intent is that a document (e.g. documented procedure) is needed and uses “retain” where the intent is that a record is needed.  (This is explained in A.3 of the Annex.)

What to know more about the documentation requirements set out in ISO 14001:2015?

Download the FREE ENLAR^® Quick Guide – ISO 14001:2015 Requirements for Documented Information.